Ghana - JENSOO - english version

Chapter 37

Rosé

We decided to have lunch at the airport and spend the afternoon with Jennie until it was time for her to board. We were all excited and happy about this new chapter in her life, except for her—she looked like she was heading to her own funeral.

My best friend was so distracted that, no matter how much we tried to cheer her up, nothing seemed to work. Every few moments, she would glance over at the airport entrance.

"Love, do you think Jisoo will make it in time?" I whispered quietly to my girlfriend while Jennie and Irene were looking at some clothes and Seulgi had gone to buy ice cream.

"She said she'd do everything she could to make it," Lisa said thoughtfully, sighing. "But if she didn't promise, there's a chance she won't come."

"God, what a mess they've gotten into," I shook my head in disbelief, imagining how upset Jennie would be if Jisoo didn't show up. And the worst part is that it's not really anyone's fault.

"Do you know how things are between them? What did they decide?" Lisa asked me, and Jennie immediately turned to look at us. I rolled my eyes and sighed at how loudly Lisa had spoken.

"Are you talking about me in front of my face?" Jennie raised an eyebrow, her feline eyes narrowing.

"Yes, we were wondering what you and Jisoo decided about your relationship," I shrugged, and Irene laughed.

"The question everyone wants to know but no one had the courage to ask," the older woman said, making us all laugh, except Jennie, who still looked upset.

"Would you prefer we talk about you behind your back?" I teased, moving closer, and Jennie rolled her eyes again, sighing and looking away.

"I'm tired of walking. Let's sit by the boarding gate," she said simply, turning and walking ahead of us. We exchanged confused glances but followed her without saying anything. Once she settled down, we sat as close to her as possible, and Jennie sighed.

"You don't even look like someone about to start a new life in Europe," Seulgi said, sitting next to Irene.

"I don't know if I want to go. I mean, I want to go, but it feels like I'm leaving something much bigger behind," Jennie sighed, staring at the ground, lost in thought.

"You know that distance doesn't have to mean the end, right?" Irene said softly. She always had this wise way of handling difficult situations, but Jennie still didn't seem convinced.

"I know, but what if we can't make it? What if I lose Jisoo forever because of this?" my best friend said quietly, her voice trembling as if she were about to cry.

"Jennie, you two are stronger than that," Lisa interrupted, her gaze serious, surprising me. "But you both need to want to fight for it."

"That's exactly what scares me. Does Jisoo want to fight for us?" Jennie admitted, tears starting to fall as I sat beside her and hugged her. "Since she got the lead role in Snowdrop, everything has changed. She's been more present, more affectionate, but at the same time, I feel like we're saying goodbye. What's going to happen when I'm on the other side of the world?"

"I feel like I'm leaving part of myself behind. Part of me is here, with her," Jennie whispered, her voice barely audible.

The silence that followed was only broken by the hum of the airport, people passing by, their lives moving forward. And here we were, Jennie about to board a plane to chase her dream, but it felt like she was on the verge of losing the most important thing in her life.

With every passing second, it was clear that Jennie kept glancing at the entrance, hoping that Jisoo would show up. Would she come? If she didn't, what would that mean for Jennie?

"The clock is ticking, and with each passing minute, the decision that once seemed so clear now feels impossible. I love Jisoo, and leaving without seeing her one last time feels wrong. More than that, it feels like the beginning of the end," Jennie murmured, almost talking to herself, as we exchanged looks, unsure of what to say to make this situation better.

"I just wish everything was easier," she added, her voice heavy with emotion.

"Jen, you're doing what you've always dreamed of. If anyone can make this work, it's you. And Jisoo knows that," I said, squeezing her shoulder gently, trying to offer her some comfort and strength. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so sad to travel like my best friend was.

"I just hope she believes in us as much as I do."

"She does, Jen, I guarantee it. Jisoo loves you and wants to make this work as much as you do," Lisa said seriously, and for the first time, Jennie looked away.

"I wish I had that certainty, Lisa. But with all the recent changes in Jisoo's life, I don't feel as secure anymore," Jennie sighed. "It's like she's slipping away, like sand through my fingers, no matter how hard I try to hold on."

Before any of us could respond, the announcement came over the speakers that Jennie's flight was boarding. We all turned to the entrance, but there was no sign of Jisoo. Jennie let a few tears fall, sighing as she stood up, gathering her things.

"Well, this is it," she gave us a half-smile as she turned to face us. "I'm going to miss you all," she said, hugging each of us tightly.

"We'll try to plan a trip to visit you in a couple of months," Irene said, squeezing Jennie's shoulders. "You're not getting rid of us that easily, Jen," she added, making Jennie chuckle a little.

"Thanks, and I promise I'll bring you all some presents," Jennie said, hugging me tightly.

"It's going to be a great experience, this new phase. Try to stay optimistic, Jen," I whispered in her ear, and she sighed.

"Send my love to Jisoo, tell her I love her and that I'll miss her," she said, blinking a few times, trying to hold back her tears, before giving us a sad smile. We all nodded in agreement, and Jennie waved one last time as she passed through the gate, disappearing down the line of corridors before the security check.

"Lisa, if you ever do something like this to me, I'll kill you," I turned to Lisa, who looked startled. Before she could respond, her expression shifted to confusion and shock, making me look in the same direction as her.

Jisoo was running toward us, her face red, clearly having sprinted the entire way. She stopped in front of us, hands on her knees, completely out of breath and looking like she was about to faint.

"I made it, I made it. Where's Jennie? Did she go to the bathroom?" Jisoo asked after a few seconds of trying to catch her breath.

"Jisoo, Jennie just boarded," Seulgi said regretfully, and Jisoo stared in shock at the boarding gate.